Window control unit



April 11, 1939.

G. H. CLEMENT ET AL WINDOW CONTROL UNIT Filed Feb. l, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet l /NS/DE Z INVENTORS` ATTORNY April 11,1939-` G. H. CLEMENT ET AL 2,154,229

` WINDOW CONTROL UNIT Filed Feb. 1, 195e 4 sheets-sheet 3 151pm F79' 5 April l1, 1939. G, H, CLEMENT ET Al.

WINDOW CONTROL UNIT Filed Feb. l, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 r il TTORNE Y Patented Apr. 11, 193,9

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WINDOW CONTROL UNIT George H. Clement, Merchantville, N. J., and Merrill A. Squier, Narberth, Pa., assigner-s of one-third to said` Clement, one-fthird to said Squier, and one-third to Harry l). Marks and H. Zachary Marks Application February 1, 1936, Serial No. 61,914

9 Claims.

Our invention relates to a Window closing device and relates particularly to a Window closing device applicable to vertically movable Windows.

Usually during the period of time that people sleep in their bedroom, the bedroom Window or ing the time that it rains and the Window is open,

the incoming rain may flood the floor or damage the wall-paper, rugs and/or drapes in the room.

Attempts have been made to construct window closing devices, but they generally have been of such construction that material alteration of the Window frames, pulleys, etc., has been necessary. Prior art devices which have been attached to the Window to close the Window result in the Window closing with a terric noise.

Therefore, it is an object of our invention to construct an automatic window closing device whereby the above diiculties are removed.

Another object of our invention is to construct a window closing device which closes the Window at a predetermined time.

Another object of our invention is to construct a speed control element whereby the rate of speed of the closing of the Window is controlled, and which element may be used in conjunction with a Window closing device.

Another object of our invention is to construct a Window closing device Which may be actuated by rain impinging upon a portion of the closing device; or it may be actuated by a timing element, each of the stated functions being performed by a mechanism not in conflict with the other mechanism.

Another object of our invention is to construct a Window closing device Which may be manually actuated to release the Window and which also may be automatically controlled.

Another object of our invention is to construct a window closing unit and a Window speed control unit which will prevent the Window sash from rattling.

With the above and other related objects in View our invention comprises a window closing device which may be set upon the lower horizontal portion of a Window sash wherein the window closing device may be actuated by: (l) a timing element; (2) moisture collecting upon a frangible element of the window closing device; (3) or manually actuated. Also a speed control element is mounted upon the Window sash to com trol the descent of the Window sash.

Other objects of our invention are to provide an improved device o f the character described of simple and economical construction having a maximum eiliciency and accuracy.

With the above and related objects in view our invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts which will be more fully understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in whichz Fig'. 1 is an elevational view of a double hung window with our invention embodied thereon.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and shows a top view of the timing unit of our window closing device applied to the bottom rail of a vertically movable Window sash.

Fig. 3 is a front view' of our Window closing device.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the timing unit taken on the liield of Fig.- 3.

Fig; 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4 with the casing and clock mechanism omitted and showing the component parts of the tripping mechanism.

Fig'. 6 is an exploded View of the component parts of our window closing unit. The gear train and escapernent of the clock mechanism have been omitted in this view.

Fig. '7 is a front view of the Window travel retarding unit.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7. 1

Fig. 9 is an exploded view illustrating the component parts of the window travel retarding unit; for the sake of clearness the casing has been omitted.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view illustrating the position of the trip unit without the rain check therein and with the latch G engaging the ratchet, so that the unit is' only to be operated by the timing unit or manually.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary view illustrating the position of the trip unit after the rain check is broken-the' latch' being disengaged from its cooperative ratchet.

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view i11ustrating the position of the trip unit With the rain check in position and the Latch engaged with its coopera tive ratchet.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary View illustrating the position of the trip unit when the trip is moved to lower the Window and with the rain check thereonthe latch is disengaged from its cooperative ratchet.

Fig. 14 is a modification o-f theY timing unit latch tripping mechanism.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings in Fig. 1 is shown a double hung window combination comprising a stationary frame, generally designated as A, an upper vertically movablespite the tendency of weights IIJ, IIl which tend to keep the window open.

Although the term window closing device is employed the device D really provides a frictional force upon the stationary window frame A to prevent the window sash from falling because of the attraction of gravity, and upon the release of the frictional force the vwindow will descend from a raised position. l

The timing unit D, hereinafter described, is secured to the left-hand side of the lower rail I2 of the lower sash C, with a friction wheel I3 pushing against the left hand sash bead I4 of window frame, and a moisture or rain tripping element F of the timing unit D is exposed on the outside of the window.

The window drop retarding unit or speed limiting device E, hereinafter described in detail, is secured to the right-hand side of the bottom rail I2 of the lower sash C with its friction wheel I3 pressing against the right-hand sash bead I1 of the window frame A.

With the above described arrangement the window closing device D supports the window in its open position until it is tripped by (1) the timing unit (2) manually tripped or (3) tripped by moisture or rainfall. The window drop retarding unit E controls the speed of fall of the window after the timing unit D has been tripped so that the window will not descend too quickly.

The window drop retarding unit E has an additional function of eliminating rattlingV in the window. This additional function is brought about by the friction wheel I6 of the unit being forced in a right-hand direction, as Fig. 1 is viewed, against the right handsash bead I1 of the window frame A. This causes the sash C to be forced in a left hand direction, as Fig. 1 is viewed, and as the timing unit D is secured to the sash C in a position so that the friction wheel I3 of the timing unit D receives this thrust, both the friction wheell I3 of the timingunit D and the friction Wheel I6 of the retarding unit E, are held in pressure contact with the sash beads, I4 and I1, respectively, of the window frame A. This arrangement also tends to overcome any variation in the distance between the beads I4 and I1.

In Figure 2 is illustrated a top elevational View of the timing unit D, and a fragmentary sectional View of the Window frame A and the bottom rail I2 of the sash C, with the timing unit D mounted thereon. This illustration clearly shows the relative positions of the timing unit D with its friction wheel I3, the window frame A and thelower sash rail I2. It also shows-the moisture or rainfall tripping feature, generally designated as F, of the timing unit D, extending through the bottom rail I2 of the sash C.`

Timing or window closing device The timing or window closing device D, see

Figs. 4 and 6, comprise parallel spaced plates 45 and 41, each of which have a plurality of aligned openings which serve as bearings. Between the aligned bearings is a clock-like mechanism comprising a gear commencing from a drive gear 21 to an escapement gear 34 on the escapement gear shaft. The gear train between the gears 21 and 34 are numbered 21, 28, 29, 3S, Si, 32, 33 and 34. An escapement gear 35 and its associated escapement 36, together with a throw arm 31 and a balance wheel 33 are also part of the clocklike mechanism. This timing gear train and its escapement is of the conventional type generally found in clocks and other timing mechanisms and a detailed description will notbe entered into, for any type of spring actuated clock mechanism may be employed conditional, however, that the mechanism must be modified for the purpose set forth.

The main gear 21 of the timing gear train is rotatably mounted upon a drive shaft 39 and the main gear is rotated by the drive shaft in one direction only because of a ratchet I0 and its cooperative pawl 4I. With the above described arrangement it is possible to rotate the drive shaft 39 by turning a key 2l, in a counterclockwise direction as Fig. 3 is viewed, thereby winding a power spring 43, and storing potential energy within the power spring 53, for operating the timing mechanism as well as the tripping mechanism. The power spring 43 has its inner end securely fastened to the drive shaft 39v and its outer end is securely fastened to a fixed post 44.

Mounted upon the plate 45 is a dial I8 having the numeral designations E to II thereon, and centrally mounted within the dial is a shaft 62, which carries a pointer I9. The purpose of the visible dial I8 is to indicate the number of hours that will elapse before the mechanism will be actuated whereby the window will be closed. For example, if the person retires at 10 P. M. and Wants the window to close at 7 A. M.-a difference of 9 hours--the control key 2| is revolved. The key 2| moves the shaft 39, intermeshed gears 6I, 63, the shaft 62 and the pointer I9 thereon. The control key 2| is revolved until the pointer I9 is adjacent numeral 9 on the dial. Thus, the mechanism is set to release a latch, generally designated as G, whereby the window will descend nine hours later to a closed position. The casing 2B has a circular opening 2l) on the front thereof, which opening is filled by the dial I8, and the dial only is open to view while the other mechanisms are hidden behind the casing.

The friction wheel I3, in pressure contact at all times with the sash bead I4, is mounted upon a shaft 49, the latter also carries a ratchet wheel 5I. As the window is raised the friction wheel I3 revolves in' a counterclockwise direction, as Figs. 1, 3 and 5 are viewed, also revolving the ratchet wheel 5I in the same direction. When the window is raised to an optional height within the limit of its travel the ratchet wheel 5I is engaged by an end 53 of the latch G thereby preventing the window from closing by gravity since the friction wheel I3 is unable to rotate in a direction which would bring the window to its closed position. The latch G is pivotally mounted upon the post 44, the latter, also, secures the outer end of the spring 43. A tension spring 55 holds the latch G in contact with the ratchet wheel 5I and the tension spring 55 is attached at one end to a post 51 on the latch, and the spring 55 at its other end is attached to a post 53 on the plate 45. However, a compression spring may also be emiii.)

ployed to press the latch into engagement with the ratchet.

Also, mounted upon the drive shaft 39 near one end is a gear 6I in mesh with a l-atch tripping gear 63, the latter carrying a projecting pin 65. The pin 65 is adapted to engage a surface 61 on the latch, which surface defines an arcuous notch; and when the pin 65 and the surface 61 engage, the end 53 of the latch G is forced in an outwardly direction whereby the latchs end 53 is disengaged from the ratchet wheel thus allowing the friction wheel I3 to revolve freely.

When the key 2| is rotated to set the timing unit, the drive shaft 39 and the gear 6| are turned in a counter-clockwise direction, as Figs. 3 and 5 are viewed. This causes the gear 6I to rotate the enmeshed tripping gear 63 and its associated pin 65 and the pointer I9 in a clockwise direction, thereby setting the time tripping feature and indicating on the dial |8 the number of hours the window will remain open.

The unwinding of the power spring 43 rotates the drive shaft 39 and its connected gear 6I in a clockwise direction; causing the enmeshed tripping gear 63 and its associated pin 65 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction; and when the gear 63 has revolved suiciently to have the pin 65 force the latch G in an outwardly direction, the latch G is disengaged from the ratchet wheel 5| thereby releasing the friction wheel I3 and a1- lowing the window to close by the force of gravity.

The tripping pin 65 on the tripping gear 63 engages and trips the latch G by impinging against a projection 69 on the latch, and the projection is defined by the arcuate notch 61 and a complemental arcuate notch 1|.

To arrest or stop the clock mechanism from ticking after the tripping time has passed we construct the tripping pin 65 to extend on both sides of the gear 63, so that when the latch is tripped and the window has descended, a fixed stud 65A on the plate 41 is engaged by the pin 65. The engagement of the pin 65 with the stud 65A prevents the gear from moving further in a counterclockwise direction.

In the embodiment illustrated, the maximum time the window will remain open is approximately twelve hours-however, by changing the ratio of the intermeshed gears 6| and 63 the time of operation may be extended or decreased.

Moisture tripping feature The manual moisture tripping element of the trip mechanism is shown in Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6. A

shaft 15 having a knob 23 on one end thereof, is

journaled through the spaced plates 45, 41. Upon the shaft 15 is secured a tripping rectangular prism 13 which is adapted to engage an end 54 of the latch G whereby the latch G may be oscillated about the post 44 so that the end 53 may be disengaged from the ratchet Wheel 5|, and the wheel I3 may freely rotate.

The moisture tripping device is comprised of the shaft 15 which is journaled in a tube 99 as well as in bearing 12 in the plate 45. The tube 99 has its threaded end 92 screwed into the complementary female threads 93 on the plate 41 so that the tube may protrude outwardly through an opening in the window sash I2. The round shaft 15 is threaded at each end 16 and 84. Adjacent to the end 84 of the shaft 15 is a square portion 8| which receives a complementary opening 82 in a moisturetrip unit. A nut 85 secures the trip unit H to the shaft 15.

Finally mounted upon the shaft 15 is a rec- 54 of the 'latch G when the shaft is rotated 21 degrees. A helical torsional spring 11 surrounds the shaft 15 between the upper plate 45 and the prism 13 and the spring tends to rotate the shaft 15 in a clockwise direction as Figs. 10 to 13 are viewed. The upper end 18 of the spring 11 is inserted in a hole 18 in the upper plate 45 and the opposite end 19 of the spring is inserted in a hole S9 in the block 13. Tension is set up on the spring when the unit is assembled, so that the spring 11 will tend to rotate the shaft in a counterclockwise direction as Figs. 3 or 5 is viewed. Between the block 13 and the lower plate 41 of the unit is inserted an arched spring 86 having a hole 81 therein to receive the shaft 15. The arched spring 86 is arranged to press the shaft in one direction along its longitudinal axis to allow for a slight longitudinal movement of the shaft as shall hereinafter be further described. The shaft 15 also extends through the bottom rail I2 of the lower sash C of the window and its end is exposed outside the window.

At the outer end of the tube 99 is securely xed a radially extending fixed arm 95, see Figs- 4 and 6, which has a projecting rod 96 at its outer end. The rod 96 on the radial arm 95 projects in a direction parallel to the tube 99. Midway between the end of the tube 99 and the projecting rod 96 is a drilled and tapped hole which receives a round head screw 91, the function of the screw is to retain the movable arm |9| in a predetermined position.

Radially extending from the hub of the trip unit H are three arms |9I, |93, ||9. The trip arm .I9I has a rod |92 laterally projecting from its outer end, and, the rod |92 extends parallel to the tube 99, when the unit H is assembled upon the shaft. The stop arm |93 extends at right angles to the trip arm |9I, and its outer end |94 is arranged to engage the rod 96, on the arm 95, see Fig. 10. The auxiliary trip arm IIO extends 180 from the trip arm |9| and is arranged so its outer end I will engage the threaded portion of the screw 91, in the arm 95 should it be desired.

The separable loop 25 of the moisture trip is comprised of paper or cloth glued together where its ends ||4 overlap. This loop is placed around the rod 96 on the arm 95, and the rod |92 on the unit.

Operation of moisture trip The operation of the moisture trip is as follows: The round head screw 91 is threaded into a tapped hole in the arm 95, so that the threaded shank of the screw 91 projects beyond the outer side of the arm 95, and forms a stop for the auxiliary trip arm ||9. The shaft is rotated in a clockwise direction as Fig. 3 is viewed until the rods 96 and |92 are close enough together to slip the separable loop 25 over the rods as in Fig. 13. When the knob is released, the length of the loop permits the arms 95 and |0I to assume a position 90 apart as shown in Fig. l2. This causes the prism 13 to take the position shown in Fig. 5 in solid line and in Fig. 12 wherein surface 13D is parallel and not in contact with an adjacent surface of the latch. In the event that moisture comes in contact with the loop, the loop will separate and allow the moisture trip unit H, the shaft 15, and the prism 13 to rotate to the position shown in Fig. 11, the members are rotated by reason of the potential energy stored in the spring 11 so that surface 13B of the prism moves into contact with the latch. The trip unit Will rotate until the auxiliary stop arm I I encounters the threaded shank of the screw 91 or the shaft rotates through an arc of 90. This causes the prism 13, on the shaft 15, to assume a position as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5. When the prism 13 takes the position where surface 13B engages the latch G then the end 52 of the latch G is disengaged from the ratchet wheel and the window is allowed to drop by the attraction of gravity.

Should it be desirable to manually close the window with the moisture loop in place, the knob 23 is rotated in a clockwise direction, until the arm |0I, encounters the rod 91, see Fig. 13. This causes the block 13 to rotate approximately 90 as shown in Fig. 13 so that the junction of surfaces 13A, 13D engage the latch, and, in so doing, it trips the latch G and allows the window to drop.

When it is desirable to operate the timing unit without the moisture trip feature, the loop 25 is removed from the separable 4rods 96 and |02. This allows the trip unit H to rotate until the stop arm ||0 encounters the threaded shank of the screw 91, see Fig. 11, that is projecting beyond the outer surface of the arm 95 and in the path of movement of the arm 95. The above arrangement disengages the latch from the ratchet and the window is free 'to descend. After this the person operating the device presses axially on the knob 23 of the shaft 15. This causes the arch spring 86 to be flattened, and allows the shaft 15 and the trip unit H to move axially outwardly, a short distance, to allow the stop arm ||0 to pass the projecting end of the threaded shank of the screw 91. This allows the trip unit H to further rotate, until the stop arm |03 comes in contact with the rod 96. The trip unit H, the shaft and the rectangular prism 13 rotate as a unit, until it assumes the position shown in Fig. 10. In this position thelatch G engages the ratchet until the latch is disengaged either manually or by the timing unit.

Should it be desirable to return to the use of the moisture loop, the person operating the device would rotate the knob 23 in a clockwise direction and force the arm ||0 to pass the projecting threaded shank of the screw 91, and return the trip unit to the position as rst described. The arm ||0 is chamfered on the side ||2 so that it will ride over the projecting screw when it is moving in a clockwise direction.

The friction wheel I3 is rotatably mounted on the stationary shaft 49 which shaft is mounted in the hole |05 of the upper plate 45 and, hole |05A of the lower plate 41. The trip gear shaft 62 is rotatably mounted in the hole |06 of the upper plate 45 and the hole I06A of the lower plate 41, the trip gear shaft 62 extends above the upper surface of the upper plate 45 and receives lon its threaded upper end I 01 the pointer I9 and its securing nut |08. The drive shaft 39 is rotatably mounted on the hole |09 in the upper plate 45 and the hole |09A in the lower plate 41. The post 44 serves as a pintle for the latch and` an anchorage for the outer end of the main spring, and the post is securely positioned by the hole ||5 in the upper plate 45 and the hole |I5A in the lower plate 41. The holes ||6 and ||6A in the upper and lower plates are arranged to receive the shafts of the timing gear train and escapement of the clock mechanism. It is to-be understood that spacing and securing means are provided to definitely space the plates 45 and 41 of the timing unit and to secure the unit to the rail of the sash, although such spacing and securing means are not shown on the drawings.

speed limiting device The window drop retarding unit E, see Figs. 1, 7, 8 and 9 is mounted uponr the bottom rail of the sash C with its friction wheel |6 in pressure contact with the right hand sash bead |1 of the window frame A. A casing |20, of formed or cast metal, is held in position by suitable holding means (not shown).

Upon a rotatable shaft |23 is securely fastened the friction wheel I6, and a ratchet Wheel |25; and upon the same shaft a gear |21 is loosely rotatable. The gear |21 carries a pintle |29 to which a pawl |28 is pivotally mounted, see Fig. 9. The pawl |28 engages the teeth of the ratchet wheel |25 so that the loosely mounted gear |21 rotates with the friction wheel I6, only when the wheel I6 moves in one direction which direction is counter-clockwise as Fig. 7 is viewed.

Hence, when the window is moved upwardly to raise it the wheel I6 rotates together with the ratchet wheel |25, but since the pawl slips the loosely mounted gear |21 does not rotate, but when the window descends the pawl and ratchet are locked together so the wheel I9 rotates the loosely mounted gear |21, and the latter gear in turn revolves the mechanism hereinafter described.

The gear |21 meshes with a small gear |30 thatis securely fastened on a shaft |3|. Also, fastended securely to the shaft |3| is a large gear |32, the latter gear is enmeshed with a small gear that is securely fastened on a governor' shaft |36. The governor shaft |36 has a hub |31 at one end that is pierced with holes |38-|38 for flexibly mounting a governor plate |39 that extends radially. from, and at right angles to, the axis of rotation of the governor shaft. Mounted on the side of the governor plate, adjacent to the lower plate |45 of the retarding unit, is a friction disc |40. The friction disc |49 is in frictional contact with the lower plate |45 of the retarding unit. Projecting from the governor plate |39 and approximately parallel to the governor shaft |39 are arms |4|, |4|. The arms |4| have weights |42, |42 attached to their outer ends. Holes |38, |38 receive the interfitting ends of the governor plate |39 so that the weights |42, |42 or governor is pivotally mounted about the hub I31-hence, by the aforementioned structure, the governor is rotated upon the rotation of the shaft |36, but the governor can swing away from the iongitudinal axis of the shaft |36 so that the friction disc wipes on the lower plate |45. For the sake of emphasis, the following matter has already been touched uponwith the arrangement of the Wheels, gears, and governor described it will be noted that when the Window is raised the friction Wheel I6 rotates in a clockwise direction and the gear |21 remain stationary, its pawl |28 being passed by the ratchet wheel |25. However, when the window is tripped by the timing unit as described above, the descending window rotates the friction wheel in a counterclockwise direction and the ratchet wheel |25 and the pawl |28 are engaged and rotates in unison and thereby rotates the gear |21 in a counterclockwise direction. This gear in turn rotates the gears |30 and |32 on the shaft I3|. The large gear |32 in turn rotates the gear |35 on the governor shaft |36, thereby rotating plate.

the governor shaft at a relatively high rate of speed. The centrifugal force exerted on the weights |42, of the governor unit, causes the governor plate to endeavor to rotate around the holes |38 as an axis. This causes the friction discs to be pressed against the lower-plate |45 of the retarding unit, thereby attempting to hinder the rotation of the governor and connected friction wheel, thus retarding the fall of the sash after the timing unit has been tripped.

The upper plate |44 of the retarding unit E, is securely spaced and fastened to the lower plate |45, by way of the screws |46, and tubular spacers |41. The screws |46 pass through the clearance holes |48 in the upper plate |44, and through the tubular spacers |47 and are threaded into the threaded holes |49 in the lower plate |45. The upper end of the shaft |23 of friction wheel, the gear shaft 3| and the governor shaft .|36 are rotatably mounted in `the holes |49 of the upper plate |44. Their lower ends are similarly mounted on the holes |50 of the lower plate |45.

The assembled elements as above described are movably mounted on the retarding unit base plate |60, by way of the holes |63 in the lower plate |45 and are threaded into the threaded holes |64 in the base plate |60. Extending upwardly from the base plate |60 are spring posts |10 that are arranged to secure the ends of the springs The opposite ends of the springs encircle the spacers |41 at the left hand end of the retaining unit. The base plate |60 is secured to the sash rail |2 by way of wood screws, that are inserted through the holes |12 of the base With this arrangement it will be noted that the assembled unit comprising the friction wheel, gear train, and governor, is movably mounted on the base plate |60 and is thrust in a right hand direction by the springs 'I'his arrangement retains the friction wheel |6 in frictional Contact with the sash bead of the Window frame A. In addition to this it forces the lower sash C in a left hand direction, due to the fact that contact is maintained between the friction Wheel I3 of the timing unit D and the sash bead |4 of the window frame, see Fig. 2.

Summary of operation The operation of the window closing device is as follows: The knob 23 on the timing unit D is turned in a clockwise direction to have a separable moisture loop 25 placed on them. The knob 23 is then released and the moisture trip feature takes the position as shown in Fig. 2. The key 2| of the timing unit D is then turned in a counterclockwise direction until the pointer |9 on the dial Il indicates the number of hours that the Window is to remain open. After this is done the window is raised to the desired position, Where it williremain until it is tripped by the timing feature or the moisture tripfeature. Should it be desirable to close the window, or lower it, before the time feature functions, the knob 23 is turned in a clockwise direction, which trips the latch G and permits the window to be closed. The operation of the time tripping and rain tripping features have been described above, as has been the operation of the window drop retarding feature.

In Fig. 14 we show a modified and preferred embodiment of a trip member, generally designated as J, which is pivotally mounted upon the latch G. The trip J is engaged by the pin 65 to raise the latch whereby the end 53 of the latch will be disengaged from the ratchet 5| so that the friction wheel- I3 may freely rotate in both directions.

The trip J comprises a at piece of stamped metal having a punched arm |82' extend substantially from its center portion. To the arm |82 is attached anend of a helical tension spring, No. 55 which functions to keep the latch in engagement with the ratchet 5|. The trip is pivotally supported by a pintle |83 entering a small bore- |84 in the upper corner of the trip adjacent the vertically extending edge |86. The upper edge is `bent at right angles to form a flange |88 which is adapted to engage an upper portion of the latch to limit the rotary movement of the trip vabout its pivot. A lower edge |90 is inclined so that it is engaged by the pin 65 and the pin 65 elevates the trip together with the latch GI, so that theend 53A of the latch is disengaged from its complementary ratchet, until the pin passes the junction of the edges |86, |90 when the pin 65 is free of the trip. As the latch is raised the window is free to descend. After the pin- 65 is free of the trip it engages the stud 65A to stop the clock mechanism just as is done in the device shown in Fig. 6. Upon the timing mechanism being reset the pin moves counterclockwise engaging the edge |86 oscil-` lating the trip upwardly out of its path.

The clock-mechanism latch trip shown in Fig. |4 permits the clock-mechanism to operate for a longer period of time than the clock-mechanism latch trip shown in Fig. 6.

As a modification to the dial to eliminate the addition of the time prior to 12:00 oclock that is to say, if a party Wants the window to close at r1:00 A. M. and retires at 10 P. M. to use the device shown in Fig. 3, it is necessary to add 2 plus 7 and move the dial |9 around to numeral 9. The present modification eliminates the addition and the construction is as follows: The dial having the numerals from zero' to eleven thereon is rotated to a stationary pointer. However, the movable pointer I0 is still used so that under the modification, the fixed pointer and the movable pointer are both parallel to one another, and if a person retires at oclock and desires to have the window closing unit function at 7 -A. M., the rotatable dial is moved until the numeral 10 is covered by the xed pointer then the key 2| is rotated until the movable pointer |9coincides with the numeral 7 on the dial.v It is thus seen that although the mechanical expedient for calculation is employed, nevertheless the pointer |9 is moved until the numeral 9 would be reached if the other dial system were used.

Although our invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting, since the invention may be variously embodied and the scope of the invention is to be determined as claimed.

We claim as our invention:-

v1. In combination, an automatic window closingfunit and a window speed governor, said governor to regulate the speed of descent of a window comprising a base plate adapted to be xed to the window, a pair of parallel aligned plates movable withrespect to said xed base plate, mechanism mounted between said pair of parallel aligned plates, said mechanism including a friction wheel, means comprising a gear arranged to rotate with said friction wheel in one direction only, a gear train connected to said governor, and a pawl and ratchet operably connected between said friction wheel and said gear whereby movement of the friction wheel in onedirection will revolve the gear train and movement of the friction wheel inthe opposite direction will not revolve the gear train.

2. A window releasing device comprising a friction wheel rotatably mounted, a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted upon the same axis as the wheel, a latch pivotally mounted and adapted to engage and be disengaged from said ratchet, a timing mechanism, a gear wheel in engagement with said timing mechanism and havinga pin thereon, said pin being adapted to move said latch' out of engagement with said ratchet at a predetermined interval of time, and means for manually actuating the latch whereby the latch will be disengaged from said ratchet wheel by said means.

3. A window releasing device comprising a window releasing mechanism and a casing, a speed limiting device and its casing, a vertically movable window upon which is mounted the window releasing mechanism and the speed limiting device as Well as their respective casings whereby the tendency of the window is to close unless otherwise prevented; said timing mechanism comprising parallel spaced plates, a dial upon the outer surface of one plate and open to 'view through anopening in its respective casing, a pointer cooperative with the indications marked upon said dial, a key, timing mechanism wound by said key, means whereby the` predetermined period of time said latch will bev disengaged from said ratchet.

4. A window releasing device comprising parallel spaced plates, a dialY having indications thereon, and the dial mounted upon the outer surface of one plate and open to view, a pointer cooperative with the dial indications, a key, timing mechanism wound by said key, means whereby the winding of said key will rotate the pointer over the face of the dial, a friction Wheel adapted to engage a fixed window frame, a ratchet rotatable with said friction Wheel, a latch pivotally mounted intermediate its ends, one end of said latch adapted to engage with and be disengaged from said ratchet whereby the friction wheel may be held from rotating in one direction or rotate freely in both directions, and means between said timing mechanism and said latch whereby ata predetermined period of time said latch will be disengaged from its normal position which normal position is when the latch is in engagement with the ratchet.

5. In a window releasing device a vfrictional engaging member, means to release or to hold said member, a control shaft, a helical spring wound about said shaft and suitably retained whereby the shaft will rotate in one direction, and a rectangular prism mounted upon said shaft and engaging said means whereby different faces of said prism in engaging with said means cause said means to release or to hold said frictional member.

6. In a Window releasing device a frictional engaging member, means to release or to hold said member, a control shaft, a helical spring wound about said shaft and suitably retained whereby the shaft will rotate in one direction, a rectangular prism mounted upon said shaft and engaging said means whereby diierent faces of said prism in engagement with said means cause said means to release or to hold said frictional member, and means to retain said shaft in a predetermined position, a spring retaining said shaft in a xed position in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the shaft, and said shaft being adapted to be shifted in an axial direction against the tension of said spring whereby the shaft will be rotatable to be moved from its hereinbefore mentioned position.

7. In a window releasing device a frictional engaging member, means to release or to hold said member, a control shaft, a helical spring wound about said shaft and suitably retained whereby the shaft will rotate in one direction, a rectangular prism mounted upon said shaft and engaging said means whereby different faces of said prism in engagement with said means cause said means to release or to hold said frictional member, an offset upon the end of said shaft rotatable with said shaft, a fixed member parallel to said offset. and a frangible member subject to open upon contact with moisture being adapted to be placed upon the offset and the fixed parallel member to retain the shaft against the tension of the helical spring and upon the breaking of the frangible member, said shaft being moved to release said frictional engaging member.

8. A window releasing device comprising a frictional engaging member, means to release or to hold said member, a control shaft, a helical spring woundv about said shaft and suitably retained whereby the spring tends to rotate said shaft in one direction, a rectangular prism mounted upon said shaft and engaging said means whereby cere tain faces on said prism are adapted to engage means whereby said means may release or hold said frictional member, a member mounted upon the end of said shaft having three arms lying in the same plane, a stud on one of said arms extending in the same axial direction as the shaft, anda xed member having a stop pin thereon and a pin parallel to said stud, said stop pin being adapted to be engaged by one of said arms to limit movement of said three-arm member.

9, In combination, a single unit window releasing device comprising a friction wheel rotatably mounted, a ratchet connected to said wheel,

a latch operatively .connected to engage said ratchet or to be disengaged from said ratchet, a timing element, a trip connected to said timing element, said latch being pvctally mounted and being disposed to be engaged by the trip member of said timing element whereby after a predetermined period of time the latch will be disengaged from the ratchet so that the friction wheel may freely rotate; a stationary window frame, a movable sash, said closing device being mounted on said window sash, and said friction wheel engaging said stationary window frame.

GEORGE H. CLEMENT. MERRILL A. SQUIER. 

